Windows 10 May 2020 Update introduces a new security feature

With ransomware and spyware on the rise, users need to stay
up-to-date and vigilant to protect data from bad actors.
Windows 10 comes with a number of security features to protect
your computer and Windows Defender is also updated frequently
with improved protection against new threats.

With Windows 10 May 2020 Update, which is the next major
feature update, Microsoft is introducing a new security feature
that would protect your PC from potentially unwanted
applications.

Windows 10 users search the Internet for free versions of
software and they often download apps with a poor reputation.
Many apps with poor reputation come bundled with potentially
unwanted applications (PUA) and if you run such apps, it can
slow down Windows 10, inject advertisements, or even change the
search engine of the browser.

Windows 10 May 2020 Update introduces new reputation-based
protection feature in Windows Security app. The new security
feature offers protection against potentially unwanted
applications (PUA), but it’s currently not enabled by default.

Enable PUAs protection in Windows 10

To block potentially unwanted apps on Windows 10, follow these
steps:

Open Start menu and search for Settings.

In Settings, head to Update & Security > Windows
Security.

Look for App & browser control page and open
Reputation-based protection settings.

Once you turn on the feature, Windows Security app will step in
and block adware, cryptocurrency miners, and other
unwanted nonsense which are bundled when you download free
software.

Windows Security app will also allow you to manage PUA
protection and block or allow apps, downloads, or both. For
Microsoft Edge users, Windows Defender will scan for PUA as
it’s being downloaded in the browser.

PUA protection is also built into Chromium-based Microsoft
Edge, but you need to enable it manually:

Open Edge settings and move to the Privacy and services
section.

Scroll down to the Services and enable “Block potentially
unwanted applications”.

Microsoft says that if you’ve already downloaded or installed a
PUA from a different browser, Windows Security can still detect
and block it for you.